U.S. patent number 5,217,331 [Application Number 07/843,284] was granted by the patent office on 1993-06-08 for hardware installation tool.
Invention is credited to Colin W. Ericksen.
United States Patent |
5,217,331 |
Ericksen |
June 8, 1993 |
Hardware installation tool
Abstract
An in line drilling device for boring holes an equal distance
from one another in wood, plastic or metal, comprising a set of
geared together shafts equipped with drilling bits. The bit holder
shafts are guided by bearings housed in a frame biased upwardly by
springs. The fully compressed springs act to limit the extent of
projection of the drill bits into a workpiece.
Inventors: |
Ericksen; Colin W. (San Diego,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
25289536 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/843,284 |
Filed: |
February 27, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
408/42; 408/112;
408/53; 408/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B
39/162 (20130101); B23Q 35/02 (20130101); Y10T
408/385 (20150115); Y10T 408/38 (20150115); Y10T
408/5653 (20150115); Y10T 408/557 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B23Q
35/00 (20060101); B23Q 35/02 (20060101); B23B
39/00 (20060101); B23B 39/16 (20060101); B23B
045/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;408/42,48,53,79,110,112,114,712 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
2846770 |
|
May 1980 |
|
DE |
|
3531988 |
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May 1987 |
|
DE |
|
906648 |
|
Feb 1982 |
|
SU |
|
Primary Examiner: Howell; Daniel W.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for drilling a series of holes in the face of a
workpiece relative to a first edge and a second edge perpendicular
to the first edge, comprising a generally rectangular base, a
plurality of aligned drills mounted vertically movably on the base,
a plurality of spring biased stop pins retractably mounted on the
underside of the base, the row formed by the stop pins being
parallel to the row formed by the aligned drills such that the
drills may be located a fixed distance from the second edge by the
stop pins, first adjustable stop means located on a first edge of
the base adjacent and generally parallel to the stop pins for
adjustably setting the distance of the drills from the second edge
of the workpiece when the spring biased stop pins are retracted
into the underside of the base, second adjustable stop means
located on a second edge of the base, the second edge of the base
being perpendicular to the first edge, the second adjustable stop
means being selectively engaged or disengaged with the first edge
of the workpiece, and at least one index pin on the base for
insertion into a previously drilled hole when drilling new holes in
line with previously drilled holes.
2. The drilling device of claim 1, wherein the second adjustable
stop means includes a rectangular plate with a hole in the center,
a headed adjustment screw extending through the hole in the plate
and into a first threaded hole in the second edge of the base, a
collar located on the opposite side of said plate from said screw
head and having an aperture through which the headed adjustment
screw passes, means locking the collar on the headed adjustment
screw such that the plate is pivotally secured between the collar
and screw head without axial play, whereby the rectangular plate is
pivoted to a position extending below the base in order to position
the base adjacent said first workpiece edge and the plate is then
pivoted approximately 90.degree. to a position above the base
underside to permit the base to be repositioned along the workpiece
face.
3. The drilling device of claim 2, further including a second
threaded hole in the base perpendicular to said first threaded
hole, and a screw extending through said second threaded hole to
lock the headed adjustment screw in an adjusted position on the
base.
4. The drilling device of claim 3, wherein the first adjustable
stop means includes two units spaced along the first edge of the
base, each unit including a washer with a hole in the center, an
adjustment screw extending through the hole in the washer and into
a threaded hole in the first edge of the base, and means on the
adjustment screw to prevent the washer from moving axially on the
adjustment screw.
5. The drilling device of claim 4, further including locking screws
in threaded holes in the base perpendicular to each threaded hole
for the adjustment screws of the first adjustable stop means, said
locking screws securing the adjustment screws in an adjusted
position.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to cabinetry and arose from the need to
drill a series of holes in a row spaced an equal distance apart, to
accept various types of cabinetry hardware installation.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
The present methods for in line hole boring involves either large
expensive machinery or very simple drill guide bushing devices. The
large machines are efficient but beyond the financial capabilities
of most users. The drill guide bushing method is inexpensive but
labor intensive, making this method very inefficient.
To overcome the disadvantages of both methods, the present
invention is developed to provide line boring capabilities that is
totally portable yet efficient in accomplishing in line drilling
operations, while remaining affordable to the individual craftsman
or business.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to drill a line of holes
simultaneously in a workpiece with a multispindle portable device.
The device may then be repositioned to drill a series of holes in
line with the first holes. This may be continued at the discretion
of the operator, producing a line of holes all spaced the same
distance from one another. The depth of the holes being determined
by the axial travel of the drill bit holders.
An embodiment of the invention provides that a downwardly biased
positioning pin, with a tapered point of such an angle, as to
automatically locate the device in varying sizes of previously
drilled holes.
Another object of the invention is to be able to position the
drilling device on a corner of a workpiece. The distance to the
first hole may be varied to the requirements of the user, by
lateral adjustment of two intermittent turn stops.
A further object of the invention is the provision of both
laterally adjustable guide stops and intermittent downwardly biased
guide stop pins on the base of the device. The intermittent guide
stop pins position the drill bits in from the edge of a workpiece a
given distance. The laterally adjustable guide stops can be varied
to a user's requirements, and likewise, position the drill bits in
from the edge of a workpiece when the laterally adjustable guide
stops are employed, the intermittent guide stop pins retract up
into the base of the device.
The principle object and essence of the device is therefore to
provide a drilling assembly of the character here within described
which enables a series of holes to be drilled at one time, a given
distance in from the edge and corner of a workpiece to provide a
line of holes spaced equally apart.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more
apparent from the specification taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the in line boring
device.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled in line boring
device.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the in line boring device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 3 shows the in line boring tool positioned on a workpiece. The
first set of holes have been drilled by positioning the tool on the
corner of the workpiece using turn stop 13 in a vertical posture in
relation to the tools base 1, to catch the end of the workpiece and
employing intermittent stops 16 against the edge of the workpiece.
This aligns the tool with the edge of the workpiece and maintains a
given distance from the workpiece edge to drill axis.
The distance from the end of a workpiece to the drill axis can be
increased by loosening set screw 29 and unscrewing screw 15. This
laterally extends turn stop 13 relative to base 1 collar 26 with
set screw 11 maintains washers 14 and turn stop 13 against the head
of fastener 15 (FIG. 1). Set screw 29 can be retightened to retain
turn stop 13 in an extended posture.
If a distance from edge of a workpiece to drill axis is required
that is greater than the fixed distance from intermittent stop 16
to the drill axis, laterally adjustable stop guide assembly screw
33, washer 32, collar 31, with set screw 11 (FIG. 1,) can be used.
By loosening screw 29 (FIG. 1) and unscrewing screw 33, the
distance from washer 32 to drill axis can be increased. Set screw
11 in collar 31 maintains washer 32 against the head of fastener
33. Screw 29 can be tightened against the shaft of fastener 33,
maintaining the laterally adjustable assembly in an extended
position.
Intermittent stops 16 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) are biased downwardly by
internal springs, and retract up into base 1 when employing
laterally adjustable stop guide 32.
By returning turn stop 13 to a horizontal position as shown in FIG.
3, the device can be moved down the edge of the workpiece. Indexing
pin 6 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) has a tapered point to accommodate
different diameter holes. Indexing pin 6 is biased downward by
spring 19 retained by ring 27, and is guided by bearing 20 housed
in bridge 2 (FIG. 1). When the point of indexing pin 6 is located
in the last drilled hole, this positions the device for the next
set of holes. Clearance holes 38 (FIG. 1) in base 1 (FIG. 1) allow
for passage of indexing pin 6 and drill bits 28 as seen in FIG. 1.
The device uses drill bits that are housed in holders 7 and 8 and
retained by set screw 11. The center holder 8 is prevented from
passing up through bearing 35 (FIG. 1) by a spring ring 36.
Referring to FIG. 3, spring ring 36 acts as a stop against bearing
35 for the entire bit holder and gear assembly. Bit holders 7 are
provided with a gear 24 for rotative motion. A portion of bit
holder 7 protrudes out of gear 24 to couple with bearing 10 (FIG.
1) housed in safety hood 3 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). Bit holder 7 is
biased upward by spring 23 captured between bearing 25 and gear
24.
FIG. 3 shows washer 21 above gear 24 on bit holder 8, retained by
collar 22. Washer 21 is constructed of a size to catch the lip of
gear 24 on bit holder 7. The axial travel of bit holders 7 and 8 is
controlled by the full compression of spring 23. Safety hood 2
rests on the shank portion of bit holders 7 and 8 that pass through
bearings 10. Safety hood 2 retained in place by collar 22 (FIG. 3).
The remaining shank length on bit holder 8 is for connection to an
electric drill motor.
When downward pressure is applied to bit holder shaft 8, the gear
assembly and hood move downward. When downward pressure is removed
from bit holder shaft 8, the gear assembly and hood 3 are moved
upward by springs 23.
* * * * *